Search - Samuel Barber, Amy Beach, Neeme Järvi :: Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony

Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony
Samuel Barber, Amy Beach, Neeme Järvi
Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (6) - Disc #1

Although this release has the Barber coming first, the standout here is the Symphony in E-minor (Gaelic) by Amy Beach. (The two Barber pieces are done not so sluggishly elsewhere.) Beach lived from 1867 to 1944 and her Sym...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details


Synopsis

Amazon.com
Although this release has the Barber coming first, the standout here is the Symphony in E-minor (Gaelic) by Amy Beach. (The two Barber pieces are done not so sluggishly elsewhere.) Beach lived from 1867 to 1944 and her Symphony in E minor sparkles with a unique musical personality. She is, though, influenced by the German symphonists of the latter end of the 19th century (and probably Dvorák, whom she greatly admired, as well). Still, Jarvi takes the Detroit Symphony Orchestra skillfully and reverentially through this 47-minute work. Not a great symphony, but one with enough insight to make it worthwhile. --Paul Cook

Similar CDs


Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

Bravura Beach
Daniel G. Berk | West Bloomfield, Michigan | 04/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The reason for this CD is the symphony by Amy Marcy Cheney Beach. The Barber symphony and overture are certainly worth hearing, but it is the Beach composition that really commends this recording, and it is certainly a worthy work. For many years Amy Beach was listed in the Schwann catalog as Mrs. H. H. H. Beach, with only one or two piano compositions being listed at all. Well, times have changed. She has her own name and has come into her own as a composer, and the symphony indicates that this recognition was long overdue."
Buy It For the Beach
Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 05/22/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard the Barber works performed more convincingly elsewhere, but the Gaelic Symphony of Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (d. 1944) is a real charmer with an exquisitely beautiful and affecting Lento third movement; the symphony could've ended there and I'd have been content. The orchestra sounds somewhat underpowered, but the playing is elegant and the recording is vivid and spacious in the Chandos tradition."